Peaceful Jesus?

Thank you for those who prayed for me and Miss S this weekend. I am grateful that I can walk on my ankles today with a brace. And my stomach feels a bit better. Yesterday I was not able to eat anything but today I could down some applesauce and Graham crackers without having to rush to the bathroom every two hours (sorry for this gross detail!).

God clearly spoke to me yesterday that I should speak to Miss S about John 14:6 and how the Muslim and the Christian church were not the same thing. I was first afraid because I valued my friendship with Miss S and I was afraid that she would think I was judging or criticizing her if I told her the truth. Also, imagine it how you would feel if I told you that if your mom was going to a Muslim church every Saturday, that the Bible says that she was going to hell! I certainly wouldn't want to hear it and would not appreciate it if I were in S's shoes. Well, I didn't put it exactly like that but God gave me the words to say to her this afternoon. Before I spoke with her, God gave me an encouraging word in Matthew 10:36. Jesus claims, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'"

Sometimes we think that Jesus came to this world as a peacemaker but the truth of the matter is that when we decide to stand up for Jesus, there will be oppositions from our family, friends and other relationships. Jesus says "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (Matt 10:37). Wow. What powerful words! It is amazing how God revealed this passage to me today as I pondered whether telling S the truth about Jesus would jeopardize our friendship.

I didn't want to put my friendship with S above my obedience to Christ to proclaim his truth. It was hard for me to confront S but I did take her to a private place and God gave me wise words to say. I told her that I loved her and did not want to judge or criticize her. At the same time, what she said about the Muslim and the Christian church being last week bothered me. I told her that Jesus claimed that He was the way and the truth and the life. Muslims do not believe this.

Her reaction was... neutral. She seemed to not care and to be preoccupied with other things. She didn't hate me, which is always good, but didn't seem too thrilled either.

Please keep Miss S in your prayers if you remember her. She is a lovely girl but seems to be a bit confused. I love her and would like to see her come to Christ and have her life changed.

The last week of Promise Camp officially begins today! I'm thankful that God has given me the strength to make it thus far. I cannot wait to be with my family at my house this coming Saturday. Please keep the children and the counselors in your prayer as we finish out the fifth week of Promise Camp!

2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."